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CONTENTS
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
Canada and its Provinces
One Life in the 20th Century
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
The Annals of Scottish Natural History
Excursion to the Orkney Islands
Tasmina Ahmed Sheikh Column
The History of Sanquhar
Classical Music in Scotland
Caledonia Monthly Magazine
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Robert Burns Lives!
Lewsiana (New Book)
British Artisan Expedition to America (New Book)
The High School pupils visit the Royal Observatory
Clan Munro Newsletter of Australia
Peter Galloway Fraser
The Household Book of Lady Grisell Baillie 1692 to 1733
The Scotch Settlers in Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland
Susie Wolff
and finally
Electric Scotland News
Not much in the way of news this week although I note the USA being hit by first the Boston bombing and now the Fertilizer plant explosion in Waco, Texas with both causing deaths and many injuries. And have just heard of some serious flooding in Chicago. This has not been a good week for them.
Of course there was the funeral of Margaret Thatcher which actually went of very well although while the First Minister attended Scotland was rather mixed in their views of her legacy.
-----
Beth Gay asked me to do a wee article about why 2014 is going to be a significant year for Scotland and she's now published that in Section 1 of her publication and the link to that is detailed below.
I have been asked why I don't do more to promote Scottish tourism on the site and make these and other things better known. I confess it's a personal grudge I have with the tourism industry in Scotland. Over some 15 years the tourism industry in Scotland has never once taken out an advert on the site or contributed any articles to the site. Despite that Electric Scotland does contribute quite literally millions in new tourism revenue to the country each year. Despite all that I still get requests for free links to all sorts of tourism sites.
Now why do people want free links? They recognise that by getting a link on Electric Scotland will likely earn them some money but do they wish to pay for an advert? of course not. They could make thousands of pounds of new money from their link but will they share even a penny of that with us... again of course not.
I even tell them that if they can come up with a good article about something in Scotland then I'd be happy to add their link to that. Will they do that? No!
So my view was if you wish to ignore me then I can ignore you. I know it's petty minded of me but you get to a point where you just think enough's enough. Mind you I still do mention the odd event and am always happy to promote events in the Diaspora.
So that's why I don't do more to promote tourism in Scotland.
-----
I note the Flag in the Wind has done a major article on John Muir and pleased to say we have tons of information on him on the site. I've provided a link to this within the Flag section below.
-----
I was doing some research on Scottish beers and came across the web site www.mcewans.co.uk which I might add you need to be of drinking age to get onto the site. However when I went onto the site they have a great wee video which you might enjoy watching. I also note they've just launched McEwans Red which I guess is only available in Scotland. To my knowledge their beers are not available in Canada which is a real pity as my favourite beer was McEwans 80/-.
----
Got some info in from Dr Leith Davis at Simon Fraser University...
Tartan Day, 2013 saw the launch of our new interactive website, "Scots in BC," created with a grant from the Department of English. You can get to the site at: http://www.sfu.ca/scotsinbc/
Individuals of Scottish descent have played a vital role in the history of British Columbia. Before the province was established, for example, Scots like Simon McTavish and John Fraser commissioned fellow Scots like Alexander MacKenzie and Simon Fraser to explore the west in hopes of finding a route to the Pacific Ocean. The first governor of BC, James Douglas, was of Scottish origin, as was the first mayor of Vancouver, Malcolm Alexander MacLean. Scottish entrepreneurs in lumber, mining, fisheries and canning also left their mark on the province, as did many unrecorded Scottish men and women.
The "Scots in BC" website provides an overview of the activities of Scots in BC as well as stories of particular individuals. It also gives community members the opportunity to share their family histories in a public history project.
So do tell any friends or family members that have links to BC about this project.
Electric Canadian
Canada and its Provinces
I have now started to add these volumes and the idea is to make one volume available each week until complete. Should you be interested in this series then you'll be able to dip into each volume during the week and thus be ready for the next volume appearing.
Now added The Atlantic Provinces Volume 14 - Section VIII
You can get to this collection towards the foot of our Canadian History page at
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...nada/index.htm
One Life in the 20th Century
By Heinz Mueller
Sweet memories of a lovely childhood in Zoppot, Poland, are recalled and then evolve into painful memories of World War II through to becoming the largest granite memorial producer in Canada.
You can read this book at http://www.electriccanadian.com/make...ller_heinz.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks edition was Compiled by Fraser Hudghton. In this issue there is just one article but a very good one about John Muir, the Father of National Parks. There are of course lots of articles to read in the Synopsis.
We do have quite a bit of information on John Muir on our own site which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/muir/
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
We have now started on Volume 5 and added this week January 1908. You can get to this at::
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/volume05.htm
You can read the previous issues at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/review/
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
This book is by Robert Chambers who is famous for collecting old Scottish Songs.
Added this week are...
Maggie Lauder
The Gaberlunyie Man
The Humble Beggar
You can get to this book at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.htm
The Annals of Scottish Natural History
Now added Volume 5
You can read this at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/natu...al_history.htm
Excursion to the Orkney Islands
By Jacob Abbott
We have now completed this book by adding the following chapters...
Chapter XV. The Prince Consort.
Chapter XVI. Kirkwall.
Chapter XVII. The Stones of Stennis.
Chapter XVIII. The Embarkation.
Chapter XIX. Conclusion.
You can read the other chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/kids/orkneyndx.htm
Tasmina Ahmed Sheikh
We now have her next column which deals with How the European Union is helping to protect children online.
This column can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/life...ina/130417.htm
You can read all her articles at http://www.electricscotland.com/lifestyle/tasmina/
The History of Sanquhar
By James Brown (1891)
We now have up the following chapters...
Chapter I.—Topography
Chapter II.— Antiquarian
Chapter III.—Early History
Chapter IV.—The Crichtons
Chapter V.—The Elliock Family
Chapter VI. —The Covenanters
Chapter VII.—Municipal
Chapter VIII.—Social History
In chapter 3 we learn...
IN the Roman period, the western clan of the Selgovse inhabited Annandale, Nithsdale, and Eskdale in Dumfriesshire; the east part of Galloway, as far as the river Dee, which was their western boundary; and they had the Solway Firth for their southern limit. The British name of the Selgovm is supposed to be descriptive of their country, which lay on a dividing water, and which, by the new settlers who were introduced during the middle ages, was denominated the Solway. The Nid or Nith, like the Nidus or Nith in Wales, derives its appropriate name from the British Nedd, which is pronounced Neth, and which signifies, in the Cambro-British speech, circling or revolving.
After the Romans had withdrawn from their occupation of North Britain, as of the remainder of the island, the Danish Vikinger, sallying out from Northumberland in 875 A.D., wasted Galloway, which of old included Dumfriesshire. The Saxon plantation had always been inconsiderable, and the Saxon authority became extinct at the end of the eighth century. This incited the settlement of a new colony from Ireland, and the settlers of this period were followed by fresh swarms from the Irish hive during the ninth and tenth centuries. These Gruithne, as they were called, were joined by the kindred Scots of Kintire, and it was these Irish colonists which, Chalmers is of opinion, assumed the name of Picts, as seen in the chronicles of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, Picts signifying painted, and being the well-known name of the genuine Picts of Scotland.
It is curious to remark how much the names of places within the peninsula bounded by the Irish Sea and the Firths of Solway and the Clyde correspond with the history of the people who successively colonized within its limits. The paucity of Anglo-Saxon names in Dumfriesshire, exclusive of the pure English appellations of modern times, proves that the Saxons never settled within Galloway in any numerous bodies for any length of years. The Irish settlers completely occupied the whole extent of the peninsula, and mingling in every place with the enfeebled Britons, whose speech they understood, and amalgamating with the still fewer Saxons, whose language they rejected as unintelligible, the Scoto-Irish imposed their names on many places which still remain on the county maps.
You can read the rest of this chapter at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/sanquhar/chapter03.htm
You can read the other chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...uhar/index.htm
Classical Music in Scotland
Last week we got in the first article on Classical music in Scotland to which we've now added some additional information on James Oswald - Composer.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/music/classical.htm
Caledonia Monthly Magazine
Have added additional articles from this magazine and now have up...
Introduction
An Aberdeenshire Author - William Alexander
Professor Blackie
Art Notes
Astrological Bureau
Auld Dubrach - Who was out with Prince Charles in the '45 and lived to the great age of 110 years.
J. M. Barrie, Novelist
The Brownie of Blednoch by William Nicholson
You can get to these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...pers/caledonia
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
We got in Section 1 of the May 2013 issue. Beth asked me to do an article on why 2014 is an important year for Scotland so you can read that in this issue.
You can get to this at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
Robert Burns Lives!
Edited by Frank Shaw
Got in another article in this series "Christ Church Burns Supper, 25 January 2013, By Stephen Hammock"
I met Burns Club of Atlanta new member Stephen Hammock at one of our meetings a few months ago. He was excited to share the news that he was on his way to Oxford to capture his PhD dream, and we have since shared emails from both sides of the Atlantic. It was my privilege to introduce him via email to Dr. Jennifer Orr who currently resides in Oxford. I met Jennifer at a Burns Conference in Columbia, South Carolina several years ago and recently reviewed her magical book on Samuel Thomson’s correspondence on RBL! (see Chapter 138). One of the ways she welcomed Stephen to Oxford was by inviting him to a local Burns Supper.
Below is a brief description by Stephen of his evening at the Burns Supper at Christ Church. Most of us would give a “pretty penny” or an “eye tooth” to be part of that celebration! Stephen’s account will also be printed in the newsletter of Burns Club of Atlanta which is edited by the talented Bill Tucker, a good friend of mine.
Stephen will return home to the Atlanta area over the summer and Jennifer is scheduled to speak at our Burns Club in September as guest of the club and Paul Gleeson, Atlanta’s Counsel General of Ireland. In addition, Jennifer will speak to various Irish groups around the state. I will continue to follow the lives and work of these two young Burnsians and bring you updates from time to time. Jennifer is already working on another book and, unbelievably, Stephen’s first year at Oxford is almost complete. We wish him good luck during the upcoming two years as he continues studying for the prized doctorate he is seeking. (FRS: 4.17.13)
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives170.htm
Other articles in the series can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
Lewsiana
Or Life in the Outer Hebrides by W. Anderson Smith (1875). A new book we're starting.
I really liked the way this is written and here is a taster from the first chapter...
NOW you just pour the potatoes, and see that the fish is properly done, while we put on a fresh table-cover and set the table.—“Where will I pour them?”—Outside, round the corner; look about you, and see that you pour out the water, and keep the potatoes.—“Raining,” you say! Of course it is raining! You would like to do as our native did, who poured the water down a rat’s hole in his earthen floor, to save the lazy rascal twenty steps.
Well! now put on the pot again for a minute or two, while we throw out our note-book. Our linen-chest consists of a weekly supply of Glasgow Heralds, which are quite invaluable. First, as table-covers they require no washing; next, they are most convenient note-books when any “happy thoughts” strike one under the gentle stimulus of a cup of tea, or the solace of merry memories; and also they prove an ever-present literary attraction for the eye to wander over, perhaps to withdraw the mind from the occasional scantiness of the repast.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/lewsiana
British Artisan Expedition to America
Equipped and sent out by and at the expense of the Dundee Courier and Dundee Weekly News Newspapers.
In response to numerous requests from readers, both at home and abroad, the reports of the members of the Dundee Courier and Dundee Weekly News Artisan Expedition, which have for some time been appearing in these newspapers, are now published in a more permanent form. By the aid of the classified indexes the information gleaned by the elected representatives of British wage-earners during their tour in the United States and Canada is rendered more accessible, the volume forming an altogether unique book of reference as to the conditions of wage-earners on the other side of the Atlantic. Some idea of the magnitude of the enterprise, and the distance travelled by the delegates in the course of their journeyings, may be gathered from the following list of the places visited, the main body of the Expedition having pursued their inquiries at Montreal, Toronto, Niagara, Chicago, Pullman City, Pittsburg, Washington, Philadelphia, and New York, while detachments on special missions called at St. Paul, Minneapolis, Orange, Holyoke, Bessemer, M'Keesport, Fall River, Providence, Paterson, N.J., Nova Scotia, St. John’s, N.B., Banff, Chilliewack, New Westminster, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Brandon, Napinka, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Victoria, B.C.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...expedition.htm
The High School pupils visit the Royal Observatory
A story from George Osborne.
As the senior pupils were studying the theory of navigation, Dr. Schmitz the headmaster of the Royal High School decided to take them on a visit to the Royal Observatory. Leaving the school shortly after the dinner break, led by Dr. Schmitz, the boys made their way up the path leading to the top of the Calton Hill. Surrounded by a high stone wall, the observatory, built in the form of a cross with a dome in the centre, sat on the summit directly across from the Nelson Monument.
Pushing open the front door, Dr. Schmitz led the boys up the path leading to the building. The astronomer’s wife stood waiting in front of the doorway to welcome them, her hand resting on one of the stone pillars which supported the roof. "Good afternoon, Dr. Schmitz," Mrs. Piazzi Smyth said. "You’ll have brought the boys to see the telescope. Come away in! My husband is expecting you."
He also sent in a great illustration to go with the story which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/kids...bservatory.htm
Clan Munro Newsletter of Australia
Got in a copy of the April 2013 newsletter which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...sletters/munro
Peter Galloway Fraser
A journalist we've added to our Significant Scots section.
There is genealogy data on this page along with an account of him which you can see at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...aser_peter.htm
The Household Book of Lady Grisell Baillie 1692 to 1733
This volume forms one of a series of publications issued by the Scottish History Society dealing with household expenditure during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and goes far to fill the hiatus in years between the Foulis Book and the Ochtertyre Book. For this reason alone it would serve a useful purpose, but considerably more than this is claimed for it. In the first place, it deals with a much wider range of subject-matter than is usually included in what are termed 'House Books,' taking these words in their ordinary acceptation. To a certain extent, therefore, its title is inadequate. In the second place, owing to the various changes of residence of the family with which it deals, it affords an opportunity of contrasting the expenses of living in the country with those of living in a close in the High Street of Edinburgh, and again of comparing these with the expenses of living in London, in Bath, and on the Continent. In the third place, it gives us memoranda as to the duties of servants, as to the arrangement of the dinner-table, as to travelling, and as to many other matters of interest. And lastly, it brings us indirectly into touch with a remarkably interesting group of people, whether viewed socially, politically, or intellectually, who were well known in their day and generation, and whose history it is a pleasure to study.
You can read an account of this lady at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...n_chapter5.htm and
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...n_chapter6.htm
and I have added a copy of this book in pdf format to chapter 6.
The Scotch Settlers in Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland
A Contribution to Pennsylvania Genealogy by William M. Mervine. This is a pdf file and can be downloaded from the foot of this page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...tsirishndx.htm
Susie Wolff
A Scots lass looking to be the next Williams Formula 1 driver which we added a wee profile on. You can see this as
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...usie_wolff.htm
And finally...
Got sent in this picture...
US Marines 10 Scots 1
-----
And that's it for now and hope you all have a great Weekend.
Alastair
Electric Scotland News
Electric Canadian
Canada and its Provinces
One Life in the 20th Century
The Flag in the Wind
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
The Annals of Scottish Natural History
Excursion to the Orkney Islands
Tasmina Ahmed Sheikh Column
The History of Sanquhar
Classical Music in Scotland
Caledonia Monthly Magazine
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Robert Burns Lives!
Lewsiana (New Book)
British Artisan Expedition to America (New Book)
The High School pupils visit the Royal Observatory
Clan Munro Newsletter of Australia
Peter Galloway Fraser
The Household Book of Lady Grisell Baillie 1692 to 1733
The Scotch Settlers in Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland
Susie Wolff
and finally
Electric Scotland News
Not much in the way of news this week although I note the USA being hit by first the Boston bombing and now the Fertilizer plant explosion in Waco, Texas with both causing deaths and many injuries. And have just heard of some serious flooding in Chicago. This has not been a good week for them.
Of course there was the funeral of Margaret Thatcher which actually went of very well although while the First Minister attended Scotland was rather mixed in their views of her legacy.
-----
Beth Gay asked me to do a wee article about why 2014 is going to be a significant year for Scotland and she's now published that in Section 1 of her publication and the link to that is detailed below.
I have been asked why I don't do more to promote Scottish tourism on the site and make these and other things better known. I confess it's a personal grudge I have with the tourism industry in Scotland. Over some 15 years the tourism industry in Scotland has never once taken out an advert on the site or contributed any articles to the site. Despite that Electric Scotland does contribute quite literally millions in new tourism revenue to the country each year. Despite all that I still get requests for free links to all sorts of tourism sites.
Now why do people want free links? They recognise that by getting a link on Electric Scotland will likely earn them some money but do they wish to pay for an advert? of course not. They could make thousands of pounds of new money from their link but will they share even a penny of that with us... again of course not.
I even tell them that if they can come up with a good article about something in Scotland then I'd be happy to add their link to that. Will they do that? No!
So my view was if you wish to ignore me then I can ignore you. I know it's petty minded of me but you get to a point where you just think enough's enough. Mind you I still do mention the odd event and am always happy to promote events in the Diaspora.
So that's why I don't do more to promote tourism in Scotland.
-----
I note the Flag in the Wind has done a major article on John Muir and pleased to say we have tons of information on him on the site. I've provided a link to this within the Flag section below.
-----
I was doing some research on Scottish beers and came across the web site www.mcewans.co.uk which I might add you need to be of drinking age to get onto the site. However when I went onto the site they have a great wee video which you might enjoy watching. I also note they've just launched McEwans Red which I guess is only available in Scotland. To my knowledge their beers are not available in Canada which is a real pity as my favourite beer was McEwans 80/-.
----
Got some info in from Dr Leith Davis at Simon Fraser University...
Tartan Day, 2013 saw the launch of our new interactive website, "Scots in BC," created with a grant from the Department of English. You can get to the site at: http://www.sfu.ca/scotsinbc/
Individuals of Scottish descent have played a vital role in the history of British Columbia. Before the province was established, for example, Scots like Simon McTavish and John Fraser commissioned fellow Scots like Alexander MacKenzie and Simon Fraser to explore the west in hopes of finding a route to the Pacific Ocean. The first governor of BC, James Douglas, was of Scottish origin, as was the first mayor of Vancouver, Malcolm Alexander MacLean. Scottish entrepreneurs in lumber, mining, fisheries and canning also left their mark on the province, as did many unrecorded Scottish men and women.
The "Scots in BC" website provides an overview of the activities of Scots in BC as well as stories of particular individuals. It also gives community members the opportunity to share their family histories in a public history project.
So do tell any friends or family members that have links to BC about this project.
Electric Canadian
Canada and its Provinces
I have now started to add these volumes and the idea is to make one volume available each week until complete. Should you be interested in this series then you'll be able to dip into each volume during the week and thus be ready for the next volume appearing.
Now added The Atlantic Provinces Volume 14 - Section VIII
You can get to this collection towards the foot of our Canadian History page at
http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...nada/index.htm
One Life in the 20th Century
By Heinz Mueller
Sweet memories of a lovely childhood in Zoppot, Poland, are recalled and then evolve into painful memories of World War II through to becoming the largest granite memorial producer in Canada.
You can read this book at http://www.electriccanadian.com/make...ller_heinz.htm
The Flag in the Wind
This weeks edition was Compiled by Fraser Hudghton. In this issue there is just one article but a very good one about John Muir, the Father of National Parks. There are of course lots of articles to read in the Synopsis.
We do have quite a bit of information on John Muir on our own site which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/muir/
You can read this issue at http://www.scotsindependent.org
Electric Scotland
The Scottish Historical Review
We have now started on Volume 5 and added this week January 1908. You can get to this at::
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...w/volume05.htm
You can read the previous issues at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/review/
Songs Of Scotland, Prior To Burns
This book is by Robert Chambers who is famous for collecting old Scottish Songs.
Added this week are...
Maggie Lauder
The Gaberlunyie Man
The Humble Beggar
You can get to this book at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...ers_robert.htm
The Annals of Scottish Natural History
Now added Volume 5
You can read this at the foot of the page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/natu...al_history.htm
Excursion to the Orkney Islands
By Jacob Abbott
We have now completed this book by adding the following chapters...
Chapter XV. The Prince Consort.
Chapter XVI. Kirkwall.
Chapter XVII. The Stones of Stennis.
Chapter XVIII. The Embarkation.
Chapter XIX. Conclusion.
You can read the other chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/kids/orkneyndx.htm
Tasmina Ahmed Sheikh
We now have her next column which deals with How the European Union is helping to protect children online.
This column can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/life...ina/130417.htm
You can read all her articles at http://www.electricscotland.com/lifestyle/tasmina/
The History of Sanquhar
By James Brown (1891)
We now have up the following chapters...
Chapter I.—Topography
Chapter II.— Antiquarian
Chapter III.—Early History
Chapter IV.—The Crichtons
Chapter V.—The Elliock Family
Chapter VI. —The Covenanters
Chapter VII.—Municipal
Chapter VIII.—Social History
In chapter 3 we learn...
IN the Roman period, the western clan of the Selgovse inhabited Annandale, Nithsdale, and Eskdale in Dumfriesshire; the east part of Galloway, as far as the river Dee, which was their western boundary; and they had the Solway Firth for their southern limit. The British name of the Selgovm is supposed to be descriptive of their country, which lay on a dividing water, and which, by the new settlers who were introduced during the middle ages, was denominated the Solway. The Nid or Nith, like the Nidus or Nith in Wales, derives its appropriate name from the British Nedd, which is pronounced Neth, and which signifies, in the Cambro-British speech, circling or revolving.
After the Romans had withdrawn from their occupation of North Britain, as of the remainder of the island, the Danish Vikinger, sallying out from Northumberland in 875 A.D., wasted Galloway, which of old included Dumfriesshire. The Saxon plantation had always been inconsiderable, and the Saxon authority became extinct at the end of the eighth century. This incited the settlement of a new colony from Ireland, and the settlers of this period were followed by fresh swarms from the Irish hive during the ninth and tenth centuries. These Gruithne, as they were called, were joined by the kindred Scots of Kintire, and it was these Irish colonists which, Chalmers is of opinion, assumed the name of Picts, as seen in the chronicles of the eleventh and twelfth centuries, Picts signifying painted, and being the well-known name of the genuine Picts of Scotland.
It is curious to remark how much the names of places within the peninsula bounded by the Irish Sea and the Firths of Solway and the Clyde correspond with the history of the people who successively colonized within its limits. The paucity of Anglo-Saxon names in Dumfriesshire, exclusive of the pure English appellations of modern times, proves that the Saxons never settled within Galloway in any numerous bodies for any length of years. The Irish settlers completely occupied the whole extent of the peninsula, and mingling in every place with the enfeebled Britons, whose speech they understood, and amalgamating with the still fewer Saxons, whose language they rejected as unintelligible, the Scoto-Irish imposed their names on many places which still remain on the county maps.
You can read the rest of this chapter at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/history/sanquhar/chapter03.htm
You can read the other chapters at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...uhar/index.htm
Classical Music in Scotland
Last week we got in the first article on Classical music in Scotland to which we've now added some additional information on James Oswald - Composer.
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/music/classical.htm
Caledonia Monthly Magazine
Have added additional articles from this magazine and now have up...
Introduction
An Aberdeenshire Author - William Alexander
Professor Blackie
Art Notes
Astrological Bureau
Auld Dubrach - Who was out with Prince Charles in the '45 and lived to the great age of 110 years.
J. M. Barrie, Novelist
The Brownie of Blednoch by William Nicholson
You can get to these at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...pers/caledonia
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
We got in Section 1 of the May 2013 issue. Beth asked me to do an article on why 2014 is an important year for Scotland so you can read that in this issue.
You can get to this at http://www.electricscotland.com/bnft
Robert Burns Lives!
Edited by Frank Shaw
Got in another article in this series "Christ Church Burns Supper, 25 January 2013, By Stephen Hammock"
I met Burns Club of Atlanta new member Stephen Hammock at one of our meetings a few months ago. He was excited to share the news that he was on his way to Oxford to capture his PhD dream, and we have since shared emails from both sides of the Atlantic. It was my privilege to introduce him via email to Dr. Jennifer Orr who currently resides in Oxford. I met Jennifer at a Burns Conference in Columbia, South Carolina several years ago and recently reviewed her magical book on Samuel Thomson’s correspondence on RBL! (see Chapter 138). One of the ways she welcomed Stephen to Oxford was by inviting him to a local Burns Supper.
Below is a brief description by Stephen of his evening at the Burns Supper at Christ Church. Most of us would give a “pretty penny” or an “eye tooth” to be part of that celebration! Stephen’s account will also be printed in the newsletter of Burns Club of Atlanta which is edited by the talented Bill Tucker, a good friend of mine.
Stephen will return home to the Atlanta area over the summer and Jennifer is scheduled to speak at our Burns Club in September as guest of the club and Paul Gleeson, Atlanta’s Counsel General of Ireland. In addition, Jennifer will speak to various Irish groups around the state. I will continue to follow the lives and work of these two young Burnsians and bring you updates from time to time. Jennifer is already working on another book and, unbelievably, Stephen’s first year at Oxford is almost complete. We wish him good luck during the upcoming two years as he continues studying for the prized doctorate he is seeking. (FRS: 4.17.13)
You can read this at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...s_lives170.htm
Other articles in the series can be read at http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...rank/burns.htm
Lewsiana
Or Life in the Outer Hebrides by W. Anderson Smith (1875). A new book we're starting.
I really liked the way this is written and here is a taster from the first chapter...
NOW you just pour the potatoes, and see that the fish is properly done, while we put on a fresh table-cover and set the table.—“Where will I pour them?”—Outside, round the corner; look about you, and see that you pour out the water, and keep the potatoes.—“Raining,” you say! Of course it is raining! You would like to do as our native did, who poured the water down a rat’s hole in his earthen floor, to save the lazy rascal twenty steps.
Well! now put on the pot again for a minute or two, while we throw out our note-book. Our linen-chest consists of a weekly supply of Glasgow Heralds, which are quite invaluable. First, as table-covers they require no washing; next, they are most convenient note-books when any “happy thoughts” strike one under the gentle stimulus of a cup of tea, or the solace of merry memories; and also they prove an ever-present literary attraction for the eye to wander over, perhaps to withdraw the mind from the occasional scantiness of the repast.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/history/lewsiana
British Artisan Expedition to America
Equipped and sent out by and at the expense of the Dundee Courier and Dundee Weekly News Newspapers.
In response to numerous requests from readers, both at home and abroad, the reports of the members of the Dundee Courier and Dundee Weekly News Artisan Expedition, which have for some time been appearing in these newspapers, are now published in a more permanent form. By the aid of the classified indexes the information gleaned by the elected representatives of British wage-earners during their tour in the United States and Canada is rendered more accessible, the volume forming an altogether unique book of reference as to the conditions of wage-earners on the other side of the Atlantic. Some idea of the magnitude of the enterprise, and the distance travelled by the delegates in the course of their journeyings, may be gathered from the following list of the places visited, the main body of the Expedition having pursued their inquiries at Montreal, Toronto, Niagara, Chicago, Pullman City, Pittsburg, Washington, Philadelphia, and New York, while detachments on special missions called at St. Paul, Minneapolis, Orange, Holyoke, Bessemer, M'Keesport, Fall River, Providence, Paterson, N.J., Nova Scotia, St. John’s, N.B., Banff, Chilliewack, New Westminster, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Brandon, Napinka, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Victoria, B.C.
You can read this book at http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...expedition.htm
The High School pupils visit the Royal Observatory
A story from George Osborne.
As the senior pupils were studying the theory of navigation, Dr. Schmitz the headmaster of the Royal High School decided to take them on a visit to the Royal Observatory. Leaving the school shortly after the dinner break, led by Dr. Schmitz, the boys made their way up the path leading to the top of the Calton Hill. Surrounded by a high stone wall, the observatory, built in the form of a cross with a dome in the centre, sat on the summit directly across from the Nelson Monument.
Pushing open the front door, Dr. Schmitz led the boys up the path leading to the building. The astronomer’s wife stood waiting in front of the doorway to welcome them, her hand resting on one of the stone pillars which supported the roof. "Good afternoon, Dr. Schmitz," Mrs. Piazzi Smyth said. "You’ll have brought the boys to see the telescope. Come away in! My husband is expecting you."
He also sent in a great illustration to go with the story which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/kids...bservatory.htm
Clan Munro Newsletter of Australia
Got in a copy of the April 2013 newsletter which you can read at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/fami...sletters/munro
Peter Galloway Fraser
A journalist we've added to our Significant Scots section.
There is genealogy data on this page along with an account of him which you can see at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...aser_peter.htm
The Household Book of Lady Grisell Baillie 1692 to 1733
This volume forms one of a series of publications issued by the Scottish History Society dealing with household expenditure during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and goes far to fill the hiatus in years between the Foulis Book and the Ochtertyre Book. For this reason alone it would serve a useful purpose, but considerably more than this is claimed for it. In the first place, it deals with a much wider range of subject-matter than is usually included in what are termed 'House Books,' taking these words in their ordinary acceptation. To a certain extent, therefore, its title is inadequate. In the second place, owing to the various changes of residence of the family with which it deals, it affords an opportunity of contrasting the expenses of living in the country with those of living in a close in the High Street of Edinburgh, and again of comparing these with the expenses of living in London, in Bath, and on the Continent. In the third place, it gives us memoranda as to the duties of servants, as to the arrangement of the dinner-table, as to travelling, and as to many other matters of interest. And lastly, it brings us indirectly into touch with a remarkably interesting group of people, whether viewed socially, politically, or intellectually, who were well known in their day and generation, and whose history it is a pleasure to study.
You can read an account of this lady at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...n_chapter5.htm and
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...n_chapter6.htm
and I have added a copy of this book in pdf format to chapter 6.
The Scotch Settlers in Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland
A Contribution to Pennsylvania Genealogy by William M. Mervine. This is a pdf file and can be downloaded from the foot of this page at:
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...tsirishndx.htm
Susie Wolff
A Scots lass looking to be the next Williams Formula 1 driver which we added a wee profile on. You can see this as
http://www.electricscotland.com/hist...usie_wolff.htm
And finally...
Got sent in this picture...
US Marines 10 Scots 1
And that's it for now and hope you all have a great Weekend.
Alastair
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